This is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world does Leaping Lords; French hens; swimming swans, and especially the Partridge who will not come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

I found out!!!!


From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for you Catholics. It has two levels of meaning the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code words for a religious reality. Which the children could remember:


The Partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two Turtle Doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens stood for Faith, Hope, and Love.

The Four Calling Birds were the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Bible.

The Six Geese a-laying stood for the Six Days of Creation.

Seven Swans a-swimming represented the Sevenfold Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy).

The Eight Maids a-milking were the Eight Beatitudes.

Nine Ladies Dancing were the Fruits of the Spirit..(Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control).

The Ten Lords a-Leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The Eleven Pipers Piping stood for the Eleven Faithful Disciples.

The Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolized the Twelve Points of Belief in the Apostles Creed.

So there is your history lesson for today.

This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and
enlightening and I know how the strange song became a Christmas Carol.....